Secretive sect Twelve Tribes’ Remembrance Driveway, Picton farm up for sale

It’s a property with a colourful history and now the Twelve Tribes’ Peppercorn Creek Farm is up for sale. See the images behind the gates for the first time.

An idyllic farm nestled in Sydney’s southwest outskirts with a colourful history will soon start a new chapter.

Peppercorn Creek Farm at 1375 Remembrance Driveway, Razorback will go under the hammer at an auction at Camden Valley Inn on April 26.

The property owned by the Community Apostolic Order, which is the holding company for The Twelve Tribes, spans across about 20.5 acres and is described by United Realty as an “exceptional opportunity” for buyers.

The home build on the site is “three-quarters” completed.

“As you arrive, you’ll be captivated by the grandeur of the owner-built, partially constructed home,” the listing stated.

“The high-quality build features a steel frame and hebel blocks finished with limestone sourced from Mount Gambier, South Australia; ensuring longevity and durability.

“The interior boasts extra high ceilings, a spiral staircase and a spacious six-bedroom, four-bathroom floorplan, making this home an impressive masterpiece suited to large or growing families.”

According to a website for the farm in Picton, The Twelve Tribes “is a confederation of twelve worldwide self-governing tribes, made up of self-governing communities”.

The website states that eight families, along with a number of single men and women, live there, but there is no indication when the page was last updated.

The Peppercorn Creek farm was subject to a large-scale police search in 2020 under Strike Force Nanegai after police found human remains at another Twelve Tribes Property in Bigga.

No charges were laid over the search, and no remains were found at the Picton property.

“Following protracted, wide-ranging inquiries and, after consultation with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a decision has been made to refer the investigation to the State Coroner,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

“Detectives are now in the process of preparing that briefing.”

On the sect’s website, it states normal agriculture activities take place around Peppercorn Creek Farm.

“If you were to take a walk around our farm you may see goats being milked, chickens being fed, the vegetable garden being cared for, children swimming in the creek or being taught, the busy kitchen producing wholesome food and the endless pile of dishes, the firewood being cut, the lawns being mowed etc. etc,” the website stated.

The Community Apostolic Order also owns the Common Ground Bakery at 1580 Remembrance Driveway which posted on its website was “going through some changes”.

The Peppercorn Creek Farm in Picton. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Our cafe is currently closed, but we warmly invite you to come by on Sundays for some goodies from our bakery, and some refreshments on the house from 10am to 5pm,” the website stated.

“You are also welcome to join us on Friday evenings for a celebration and dinner at 6pm.”

The cafe property is also listed for sale by LJ Hooker Commercial Macarthur which is taking expressions of interest.

It sits on four acres of land and also features the historic Razorback Inn Homestead and the large woolshed.

The listing states the property offers the perfect “oasis” for family, and also lends itself to other business uses such as a nature or spiritual retreat, or cafe location subject to council approval.

Other features include solar panels, a dam, irrigation for farming, and bridges crossing the natural watercourse.

Secondary plans have also been approved for a larger extension on the property which is five kilometres from Picton CBD.

Originally published as Secretive sect Twelve Tribes’ Remembrance Driveway, Picton farm up for sale